NWA-TNA Xplosion
Date: 8/10/2003
From: Nashville, TN
Jeremy Borash and Mike Tenay host the show promoting Dusty Rhodes return to TNA. Dusty has returned to join forces with America’s Most Wanted against the trio of Simon Diamond, Johnny Swinger, and Glen Gilbertti.
Backstage, Rudy Charles talked about the decision he had to make between Chris Sabin and Frankie Kazarian regarding the X-Division Championship. Charles promises next week that Erik Watts will have a decision.
A vignette promoting the 3LK with BG James at his home in a trailer park. Ron Killing and Konnan arrived to visit BG. There’s a creepy guy stalking the trio rubbing his stomach. I don’t get it.
MATCH #1: 3 LIVE KRU VS. CHRIS HERO, NATE WEBB & SCOTTY MATTHEWS
FINISH: Killings pins Webb following a front suplex. After the match, the Harris Brothers make their way out and says that a certain someone is going to crash their party next week. BG invites the Harris Brothers to their premiere party next week. Harris Brothers are stopped from entering the ring.
Bob’s Take: 3LK can’t be long for being on Xplosion as they are clearly over with the Nashville crowd as they get quite the reaction. It’s notable because of how often the crowd tends to be a bit dead for the matches, but 3LK is getting PPV level reactions. The match is clipped a little bit. The squash is fine, but I wish they wouldn’t clip it. I have no interest in the Harris Brothers being a foil to them, though.
Match Rating: *
A video package highlighting Mad Mikey getting mad during various things.
MATCH #2: MAD MIKEY VS. DAMIAN ADAMS
NOTE: Bryce Remsburg is the referee for the match, and is his TNA debut.
FINISH: Mikey wins following a lifting double arm DDT.
Bob’s Take: Adams makes this a competitive battle, but misses a moonsault at one point that kind of dooms him. The crowd is pretty supportive of Mikey signaling that the gimmick is getting over. I wish Mikey would work a more impactful style.
Match Rating: *1/4
MAIN EVENT: NORMAN SMILEY VS. ROB ECKOS
FINISH: Smiley forces a submission with a crossface chicken wing.
Bob’s Take: It’s another match that has been clipped for whatever reason. They literally showed Smiley dancing, hitting a scoop slam, and winning the match. The crowd had very little reaction to this.
Match Rating: NR
Final Thoughts:
It’s been a bit of a rough patch with Xplosion episodes. The matches aren’t all that engaging these past few weeks. They do a good job of focusing on the major feuds from PPV, I will give them that.
Thanks for reading.